Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-01-02
GET \ SPECIALITY.
Managing Editor Lords Advice To All
Newspaper Men,
C3E,f,r s Lord in Christmas JOurEuliy


1t is worth any journalists while to
study a speciality. Journalism is grow
ing profession. 1t is better paid than it
was ten years ago, and good men will earn
more and he in better demand five years
hence. Newspapers wider range
of topics, and the growing desire
Tor all that i, new and that make'
the world -. are 10 increase this
demand As journalism develops It
becomes more like other professions. Time
was when physician "dortored' all dis-
eases, sawed OF limbs, pulled" teeth,
prObed ears and attacked AL imperlcc-
tons Of the human body with equal conf
dence. And not long ago lawyers were
supposed to know every phase Of inter-
national rs well as Police Court law, and
10 be able to make and break wills, settle
boundary disputes, smash titles aud crap
pie any possible topic that might get into
court. But in this year lS~6, the phySi-
Grams OF great or phenomenal success pruc-
ticr a speciality, and the lawyers OF note
follow a given line OF law.
80 with newspaper writer's Those who
master Sptc!alJ, lind their pens in con
slant demand. Garrett 4. Srryi,S. the
Ntut's astronomer. knew no more about as
trUuomy ten year $ ago than about the Al
ricLu gold dIggiugS, Yet through his studies
Ind hIs writings he has attracted much at
tentiun. and il now 81 pressed with appiI-
cations to lecture that he SeriouSly cOntem-
plates abandoning journalism for the plat
form. Mr.. George T.. Pond has u fine in
come from his writings on army and navy
topics. even in these times Of peace. Alr.
C. C.. Adams has added the study at
modern geography and exploration to
his routine work, and dozen DewS-
papers are printing all he will
write for them Mr.. Julian Ralph must
always he in demand in consequence OF his
extended acquaintance with public meu,
and his ability to turn bright paragraph
concerning their latest uttcrauce OF lido
,yncrlSy, or TO write of their connection
with the prOloundeSt political problem Of
the hour. Mr.. C.. f. Holder must have
more than supported himself these ten
years by his articles on natural history.
The newspaper writer of ability who mas
tiers mechanical engineering o. the science
of electricity, or who keeps apa,e with the
discoveries of chemistry, can add greatly
to his income.
What are the best paying spcclaiueS?
Politics first. Men having knowledge oil
politics are valuable in newspaper offices,
and reporters who understand city and
state politics are ON the road to promotion.
IL is a topic that CaunOt wear out and that
must excite the ambitions and the passions
of men while nations exist. Next to poll
/ tics | should put finance, withits branches
OF trade and Interpretations. 1t is quite as
broad a subject. and it must expand Us Our
nation cnlarges. How many really good
/ Wall street editors and reporters are there
/ in this city to-day There is growing up
. also a speciality In the line OF newsgcttlmg
/ that may he termed acquaintance with
/ public men" George Alfred Townsend
has made reputation aud fortune by turn
ing into cold type what public men say to
him on live topics of the day. Mr. Joseph
Howard. Jr., also lives M Ia his privilege
. in this respect. Mr.. T. c. Crawford Is fol
/ lowing them. Carson Lake and Julian
/ Ralph are doing the hest OF this sort o
/ work. bat they have not vet been 81 iortu
nate ~ to yet their namcs signed To thcu
articles. When they do 50, they will blaze
out with regulations. The men who make
u study of race horses, and who cal
write the news and gossip tha
must overflow from every racing stable
will make money. Just now this work l.
done in most perfunctory fashion b!
nearly every newspaper. The cdltorla
writer who can comment with intelligence
on sporting matters finds his pen m dc
mInd.
The changes in fifteen or twenty years in
dicat great changes in the journalism tina
- to come. The tendency is toward com
plete mastery of the topic discussed an'
cxactuess in statements made. NcwSpape
men must he better equipped. The hoFs
reporter of the future will not be calle'
upon to do the opera. The men VIII
matssr a specially are the men who's
pockets will bulge.